Quick answer: The two easiest ways to skip cooking Thanksgiving dinner are a prepared holiday meal from Whole Foods Market, which you order online and pick up ready to reheat, or a restaurant or grocery order through DoorDash. Order as early as you can, since holiday meals and delivery windows sell out, and plan to pick up or receive your food on Wednesday so Thursday is stress free.
Maybe you are hosting for the first time, working the day before or just do not want to spend eight hours in the kitchen this year. Ordering Thanksgiving dinner is completely normal now, and done right, nobody at the table will care that you did not roast the turkey yourself. Here is how to do it with Whole Foods and DoorDash, plus tips to make a bought dinner feel homemade.
Updated November 2026
Key takeaways
- Thanksgiving 2026 is Thursday, November 26. Holiday meal ordering deadlines usually fall several days before.
- Whole Foods holiday meals are ordered online and picked up at your local store, fully cooked and ready to reheat.
- DoorDash works two ways: order a holiday meal from a restaurant, or have groceries and sides delivered from a store.
- Pick up or schedule delivery for Wednesday so you avoid Thanksgiving Day rush and closures.
- Mix and match: order the turkey and sides, then add one homemade dish or dessert.
Option 1: Whole Foods Market holiday meals
Whole Foods offers prepared holiday meals each Thanksgiving, typically with a choice of a whole roasted turkey, turkey breast or a plant based main, plus classic sides like mashed potatoes, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce and green beans. Meals come in sizes for small gatherings and larger groups, and you can add pies and extra sides.
How to order
- Go to the Whole Foods Market website or app and find the holiday meals or catering section.
- Select your local store. Menus, prices and availability vary by location.
- Choose your meal size and add any extra sides or desserts.
- Pick a pickup date and time. Wednesday pickup gives you the most breathing room.
- Check out and save your confirmation email. You will need it at pickup.
Things to know before you order
- Order early. Popular pickup times and meal sizes sell out in the days before Thanksgiving. Check your store’s order deadline online.
- Meals come cold. Most holiday meals are fully cooked and packed cold with reheating instructions. Plan oven time accordingly.
- Bring a cooler or clear trunk space. A full Thanksgiving meal takes up more room than you expect.
- Delivery may be an option. In many areas, Amazon Prime members can get Whole Foods groceries delivered, which is handy for extra drinks, rolls or forgotten ingredients. Holiday meals themselves are usually pickup only, so check your store.
Option 2: DoorDash for restaurant meals and groceries
DoorDash is useful for Thanksgiving in two different ways, and many people use both.
Order a Thanksgiving meal from a restaurant
Many restaurants and chains offer family style holiday meals or heat and serve Thanksgiving feasts. Search DoorDash for “Thanksgiving dinner” or “holiday meals” in the days leading up to the holiday to see what is available near you. Some restaurants require you to preorder directly on their own website, so if you find a meal you like on DoorDash but cannot schedule it far enough ahead, check the restaurant’s site too.
Get groceries and sides delivered
DoorDash also delivers from many grocery stores, convenience stores and bakeries. That makes it easy to get rolls, a pie, a veggie tray, ice and drinks without fighting the crowds. It is also the fastest fix when you realize on Thursday morning that you forgot the butter.
Tips for ordering on DoorDash
- Schedule ahead. Use the schedule option so your order arrives at a set time instead of competing with holiday rush orders.
- Check hours. Many restaurants and stores close early or are closed on Thanksgiving Day. Wednesday delivery is the safest bet.
- Look at the total, not just the menu price. Delivery fees, service fees and menu markups add up on a large order. Pickup through the app can save money if you are close by.
- Tip generously. Drivers are working a busy holiday. A good tip also helps your order get picked up quickly.
- Order backups. If a restaurant cancels, you want a plan B. Have your grocery list ready so you can switch quickly.
Whole Foods vs DoorDash: which should you choose?
- Choose Whole Foods if you want a complete, coordinated turkey dinner with all the classic sides in one order, and you can pick it up in person.
- Choose DoorDash if you want delivery to your door, prefer a favorite local restaurant or only need to fill in a few dishes.
- Use both if you want a Whole Foods main course plus DoorDash delivery for extras like pies, drinks and ice.
How to make an ordered dinner feel homemade
- Plate everything. Move food from takeout containers into your own serving dishes. It instantly looks homemade.
- Add fresh herbs. A little chopped parsley or fresh thyme on the turkey and potatoes makes everything look and taste fresher.
- Upgrade the gravy. Warm store bought gravy with a pat of butter and a splash of the turkey’s reheating juices.
- Make one thing yourself. A simple salad, homemade cranberry sauce or a family recipe dessert gives the meal a personal touch.
- Set a nice table. Cloth napkins, candles and a few mini pumpkins matter more to the mood than who cooked.
Reheating tips
Follow the instructions that come with your meal. In general, reheat turkey and sides covered in a 325°F to 350°F oven until hot all the way through, and make sure reheated leftovers reach 165°F. Reheat the turkey with a little broth in the pan and keep it covered with foil so it stays moist. Warm mashed potatoes on the stove with a splash of milk, stirring often.
Refrigerate everything within 2 hours of serving. Our guide to how long food lasts in the fridge covers how long leftovers keep.
How to keep the cost down
Ordering dinner costs more than cooking from scratch, but it can still be reasonable. Compare the per person price of a prepared meal against the cost of all the ingredients, your time and the energy bill from running the oven all day. Ask guests to bring drinks or desserts, order only the main course and two or three sides, and pick up rather than paying for delivery when you can. For more ideas, see our guide to building a household budget that works.
Frequently asked questions
Does Whole Foods sell cooked Thanksgiving dinners?
Yes. Whole Foods Market offers fully cooked holiday meals with a turkey or plant based main and classic sides. You order online, choose your local store and pick it up on your chosen date, then reheat at home. Menus and prices vary by store.
Can you get Thanksgiving dinner delivered on DoorDash?
Yes. Many restaurants list holiday meals on DoorDash, and you can also order groceries, sides and desserts from local stores. Schedule your order ahead and check each restaurant’s holiday hours, since many close early or are closed on Thanksgiving Day.
When should I order Thanksgiving dinner?
As soon as you know your headcount. Prepared holiday meals and popular pickup and delivery times sell out in the days before Thanksgiving. Plan to pick up or receive your food on Wednesday.
How do I reheat a fully cooked Thanksgiving turkey?
Follow the included instructions. In general, reheat it covered with foil in a 325°F to 350°F oven with a little broth in the pan until it reaches 165°F.
Ordering Thanksgiving dinner gives you the one thing everyone wants on the holiday: more time at the table. If you would rather cook but are short on time, try our procrastinator’s guide to Thanksgiving cleaning and cooking.
